Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-13
Telegrams to The Star.
A MARYLAND NEGR0'S CRIME.
Excitement in Montgomery County
SHARP NOT SENTENCED TO-DAY
IRISH LAND AND ENGLISH POLITICS.
AN ATTEMPTED OUTRAGE.
A Crime that Has Excited MoulgoMer!
COunty-The Assailant Arrested.

COunty-The Assailant Arrested.
Special Dispatch TO THE EVENING STAR.
ROCKVILLE, Nd, July l3.-Deputy Sheriff David
Robinson has Just reached here, having in custody
Robert j. Mason, colored boy, charged with hav-
ing assaulted Miss Annie NARROW with intent 10
commit rape near Burnt Mills, this county.
The assault was made late Monday afternoon.
Mason was attending some COWS at pasture, and
Miss NARROW was out gathering blackberries. She
Is eighteen years old, but quite small for her age.
She says that Mason seized her and threw her
down. She resisted and fought the boy despc-
rately. Miss NARROW was accompanied by little
girl, who had become separated from her. The
little GIRL hearing the screams, ran to Miss Mar
lows assistance, and her appearance frightened
the negro away before he accomplished his pur-
pose. Miss Marrow went home Immediately and
related what had occurred. Some OF the neighbors
set out to trace the negro, and located Mason
as the assailant. Yesterday Deputy Sheriff
Robinson went down TO arrest Mason
and found him at the place OF Sandy Burrell, COL
ored, an uncle or Mason. Robinson stated the
object OF his visit, whereupon Burrell roughly or
dered him to let the boy alone. Robinson retorted
didn't care a d-a; the boy should not be taken.
He cursed Robinson, threatening him violently in
case he attempted 10 take the boy. Robinson
made the arrest. and was about to leave with the
boy in custody when Burrelt assaulted him with
a hoe. As Robinson drew his pistol Burrell struck
him on the hand with the hoe knocking the wea-
pom to the ground. Burrell then struck Robin
son twice on the head with the sharp edge OF the
hoe. cutting two ugly but not dangerous gashes.
When Robinson, who was alone, had re-
covered consciousness, he went to the near
est justice OF the peace, Mr. Condict, and soon
after both Mason and Burrell We're under arrest.
Last evening a preliminary hearing was held be-
fore Justice Baker. Miss NARROW positively identi-
| fled Mason as her assailant. She swore
to a' his ,deDsiy This mornlns sasSen posn
the negroes were brought here and lodged In
Jail. They will be arraigned before the November
aryp nf hq IL Sapna ~
about fifteen years old, though both he and his
uncle give his age at twelve. He is quite black
and ordinarily Intelligent.
| AN INTERVIEW WITH THE PRISONER.
The STAR correspondent interviewed him. He
declared that he had not seen Miss NARROW during
| Monday. At first he said he went to Washington
Monday and did not return until late in the even
ing, but closer questioning compelled him TO ad-
noon and that In the afternoon he turned the cat
tie out to paSturage and minded them. He ad-
mtted that the cattle were grazing In the vicinity
| OF the alleged outrage, but declared that he did
| not make the assault. He also said that he dfd
not see the girls out gathering berries.
THE UNc1Es STORY.
Burrell the uncle with whom Mason lives is a
stout muscular man, about thirty -flve years old
| and very black. He farms in that vicinity and
has borne good reputation. He says he did not
| that believing the boy had not done anything
wrong he resisted the deputy sheriff. The boy
| Is UNUSUALLY well grow II IOI Twelve years Ol
age, and the general beier s that his age is being
placed several years below the true figures.
| MISS MAKLow's ACCOUNT
is that she was gathering berries In an old field,
not far from the road; that Mason, who was mind.
| ing cows, approached her and asked several Of
fensive and insulting questions; that she ordered
| him away, and turned to walk out to the road,
when the boy seized her and threw her down.
| She fought and screamed, and the timely
arrival OF the little little GIRL who went out berry.
ing with her, only saved her. Mason had torn her
| clothing nearly on OF her while he was struggl-
ing with Miss NARROW, who was on the ground.
| The little girl struck him With a stone, but she
was too small and too much excited TO hurt him.
The attack, however, SO frightened him that he
| desisted and left. Last night
THREATS OF LYNCHING MASON
were made, but the deputy sheriff succeeded In
prevailing upon the citizens to let the law take its
course Here in Rockville threats have been
openly made maue. One OF the most prominent
| citizens has Just declared himself In favor OF
lynching, and says he is willing 20 be one OF the
| lynching party. But when he was told
that the accused Is only boy he
| seemed to relenC somewhat on account
OF his tender years The boy will probably be left
| sign OF fear, even when surrounded by group
| OF angry men, some or whom declared themselves
| in favor OF Immediately Str1nging him up, his
eye did not quail nor did his voice tremble. The
ai here is pretty solid structure, and the sheriff
is confident he will BE- able TO protect the prisoner
The general belief In this community and OF the
officer who made the arrest and conducted the
preliminary hearing, Is that Mason Is guilty.
There Is but one opinion on this subject among
those best acquainted with the facts. The arrest
was made at Burnt Mills, where the outrage was
committed. Burnt Mills is about three miles from